★ Spotlight 2027
Westside
West Cliff · Natural Bridges
Westside Santa Cruz is where the city faces the open Pacific, with a clifftop path, world famous surf breaks and several great beaches all within a short stroll. Tucked among the neighborhood streets are bakeries, breweries, tasting rooms, and a marine science center that reward a slow day of wandering.
A Westside loop along the cliffs
- Walk West Cliff Drive from near the Wharf toward Lighthouse Point, with the surf below the whole way. Stop off at Steamer Lane Supply for breakfast or lunch with ocean views and outdoor seating.
- From Thursday to Monday, stop in at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum inside the lighthouse at the point.
- Keep going to Natural Bridges State Beach for the sea arch, the tide pools and, in season, the monarchs.
- Finish inland with a pint at Humble Sea Brewing on Swift Street.
Eat & Drink
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Bantam
A wood-fired pizza restaurant on Fair Avenue that has been a Westside gathering place since 2012. The menu changes daily with seasonal, regional ingredients and is made from scratch.
1010 Fair Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Companion Bakeshop
A Westside bakeshop that grew from hand-mixed sourdough sold at farmers markets. Come for hearty loaves and other baked goods from the Mission Street shop, and take something home for later.
Local tip: Hours listed: Tuesday through Friday 7am to 3pm, weekends 8am to 3pm, Monday 8am to 1pm.
- Rainy-day pick
2341 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Humble Sea Brewing
Founded by three friends from the San Lorenzo Valley, this Swift Street brewery is the flagship of a homegrown craft beer story. Settle in for a pint after a day at the beach.
Local tip: Happy hour runs all day Monday and 5 to 8pm Tuesday through Thursday.
820 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Steamer Lane Supply
A walk-up cafe and surf supply stop inside Lighthouse Field State Beach, steps from the break it is named for. Coffee, healthy bites and surf gear, with all seating outdoors and a doggie menu.
Local tip: Free dog treats and a water bowl are offered; all seating is outdoors.
- Dog-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Outdoor seating
- Ocean view
698 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Steamer Lane Supply (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Steamer Lane Supply (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Shops & Local Makers
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Cameron Marks
A boutique tucked into the Ingalls Street creative corridor, stocked with women's clothing, jewelry, apothecary goods, candles, tableware, books and gifts. A good stop for browsing and finding something thoughtful to bring home.
- Rainy-day pick
402 Ingalls Street #21, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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Food Bin and Herb Room
A longtime Mission Street neighborhood grocery pairing an organic, locally minded market with a neighboring herb shop. Handy for stocking up on produce, bulk goods and everyday staples close to the Westside.
- Rainy-day pick
1130 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Locally owned · Checked
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The Hook Outlet (Mission Street)
A Mission Street smoke shop with a curated selection of goods, plus hats and house merchandise. It is one of three locally owned shops, with sister stores in Capitola and Watsonville.
1129 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for The Hook Outlet (Mission Street) (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to The Hook Outlet (Mission Street) (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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Seymour Marine Discovery Center
On the coast at UC Santa Cruz's Long Marine Lab, this science center turns marine research into hands-on discovery. An indoor seawater touch pool and coastal science stations make it an easy rainy-day outing for curious kids and adults.
Local tip: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and closed Mondays.
- Family-friendly
- Rainy-day pick
100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Seymour Marine Discovery Center (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Seymour Marine Discovery Center (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Parks, Beaches & Outdoors
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Natural Bridges State Beach
A wave-carved sea arch, sandy beach and tide pools anchor this state park at the end of West Cliff. In the cooler months a boardwalk leads to a grove where monarch butterflies cluster.
Local tip: Monarchs typically arrive mid-October and leave by mid-February; late October through November is often the best time to see them.
- Coastal walk
- Family-friendly
- Seasonal
- Ocean view
2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Natural Bridges State Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Natural Bridges State Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
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West Cliff Drive and Pathway
A paved clifftop path above the Pacific, running from near the Wharf toward Natural Bridges. Benches, a surfer statue and constant surf views make it the Westside's easiest stretch for walking, jogging or rolling.
- Coastal walk
- Ocean view
- Dog-friendly
- Free
West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (path runs from the Wharf area to Natural Bridges)
Website for West Cliff Drive and Pathway (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to West Cliff Drive and Pathway (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Landmarks & Local Highlights
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Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Housed in a small lighthouse on the bluff at Lighthouse Point, this compact museum preserves Santa Cruz surfing history right above the waves where much of it unfolded. Pair a visit with the view across the point.
Local tip: Hours are Thursday through Monday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Ocean view
- Coastal walk
701 West Cliff Drive (Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, Lighthouse Point), Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Spotlight 2027 edition. Places are checked against their own websites, most recently in November 2026. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Every business listed is locally owned.
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